NORTHERN Universities SC-CC Elite will take on the PCA Masters in a charity event sponsored by Northern Rock in aid of Russell Grant's Wise Federation at Seaton Carew CC today.

NUSC-CC Elite is a revolutionary new sporting club, combining all the talents of the six Northern Universities in partnership with the local community, creating an establishment to challenge the leading North East, British and ICC sides backed by Northern Rock. The success it has achieved this season including a record win against England means a franchise expansion is planned for 2006/7.

This will be the first time the PCA Masters will have played against a university side or a North-East based side representing another coup for the club in year where selecting the top game from 40 unique ones was already challenging.

The match is the culmination of the Accenture University UK20s a pioneering charity championship allowing universities to play twenty20 cricket while raising money to assist the development of sport.

The Masters side contains some familiar names to North-East cricket supports in Martin Speight and Steve Lugsden who represented Durham CCC while Neil Killeen takes time out from his own testimonial to assist the event. Sherwin Campbell, Collis King, Phil Simmons and Merv Dillion add some West Indian flair.

The Northern Universities squad contains a strong North-East-based flavour with Guy Darwin the Stockton CC Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005 one of 24 in the squad announced.

The match will also see a duel between Middlesbrough Academy's coach Martin Speight playing for the PCA and three of his star pupils in Matt Connolly, Dan Conway and John Watson representing the NUSC on the day.

Director of Cricket for the NUSC John D. Holland overseeing the event said: "This is an opportunity for the club to bring world class cricketers to the passionate North-East while raising money for charity and giving our players the chance of a life time to play against sporting heroes".

The Northern Rock WISE Federation Challenge starts at 12 and 4pm, playing Twenty20 matches. Entry is free with a donation requested allowing everyone to come down, enjoy all the activities of the day while raising money for charity.

The Masters have agreed to a question and answer session throughout the day, with raffles and auctions to enhance proceedings.

Gates open at 10.45am with refreshments available all day, as is a cricket shop covering all needs, from full bats to an autograph bat in association with GM 5 Star Dealership.

PCA MASTERS: James Hindson, Neil Killeen, Martin Speight, Merv Dillion, Phil Simmons, Sherwin Campbell, Collis King, Tim Munton, Gavin Hamilton, Steve Lugsden.

NUSC-CC ELITE SQUAD: Alan Mustard (Sunderland CC), Ben Young (Gateshead Fell CC), Dan Conway (Marton CC), Darren Izzard (Philadelphia CC), David Wills (East Rainton CC), Greg Applegarth (Sunderland CC), Guy Darwin (Stockton CC), Henry Blackett (Great Ayton CC), Jack Wilkinson (Hartlepool CC), James Hay (Newcastle CC), John Coxon (Chester Le Street CC), John Watson (Norton CC), Jonathan Kean (Norton CC), Liam Simpson (Chester-le-Street CC), Matt Connolly (Middlesbrough CC), Paul Johnson (Hartlepool CC), Paul Riddle (Hetton Lyons CC), Peter Towner (Gateshead Fell CC), Philip Holdsworth (Scarborough CC), Richie Evans (Newcastle CC), Rob Fahrenheim (Newcastle CC), Sam Malpass (Killamarsh CC), Sean Izzard

(Hetton Lyons CC), Simon Lindop (Bishop Stortford CC), Steve Scott (Tynemouth CC), Tom Armstrong (Stockton CC), Umer Rashid (Thornaby CC), Will Wyatt (Yarm CC).

Castle Eden CC

CASTLE Eden CC Under-16s embark on a short tour of Kent in August and are looking for funding from potential sponsors.

The youngsters will stay at Kent University and will play four games, beginning with a 45-over match with Sibton Park CC on August 7. They then play Nonington the following day, before watching Kent v Leicestershire on their day off on August 9. St. Lawrence and Highlands CC and Tunbridge Wells provide the opposition for Castle Eden's remaining games.

Interested sponsors can contact Gary Elliott on 01429 824149 or 07814209127.

Roseberry Group North-East Durham League

EAST Rainton maintained the only unbeaten record and are positioned at the top of Division One with an eight wickets victory over Wearmouth.

When the Wearsiders batted first they ended on 151 for eight which included 33 not out by Bobby Orton. Glen Froud had three for 34 from 11 overs and replying East Rainton won in 31.3 overs conceding just two wickets.

Neil Matthews struck ten boundaries in 48 and Gordon Steel ended undefeated on 42 with six fours. David Wills added a valuable 37 not out.

Newton Hall went down by 46 runs at home to Newton Aycliffe for whom Farmer top scored with 54 not out in a total of 177 for six. The Hall replied with 131 as Gledhill claimed four wickets for 39 runs.

Coundon posted 173 all out with Askew contributing an unbeaten 45 and Pybus 43. Thompson returned figures of four for 27 for Simonside who were restricted to 137 for nine of which David Connolly scored 30. Skew and Hardy both claimed three wickets for Coundon.

L Shaw top scored with 74 as Burnhope reached 190 at Whiteleas for whom Sowden, Peterson and Hale shared the wickets. The Whiteleas batsmen found the going difficult and were all out for just 72 as G Shaw returned the splendid figures of six for 37.

Littletown realised 121 all out and lost by seven wickets to Hunwick for whom Fleming scored an excellent 88. All three Hunwick wickets to fall were taken by Dawson at a cost of just five runs.

Bowery scored 101 not out and Simpson an unbeaten 92 as Kelloe romped to 219 for two at Medolmsley who made a bold reply ending on 195 for six before the game was timed out. Openers Dixon (77) and Ringer with 78 put Medolmsley in with a chance.

In Division Two, Coxhoe defeated Bear Park by eight wickets. Glen Bloomfield claimed six wickets for only 19 runs in nine overs and Dean Smithson had three for 27 as Bearpark were back in the pavilion after 17.4 overs with just 50 runs on the board. Smithson then hit an unbeaten 33 as Coxhoe coasted home in 15.1 overs. Michael Bell took both of the wickets to fall for 27 runs in 7.1 overs.

Hunwick managed only 101 which included 59 by Alderson and Newton Hall went on to win by five wickets. Budd took three of the wickets for 31 runs and Davies had an analysis of two for 31.

East Rainton had 90 runs to spare at Wearmouth where they realised 166 including 45 by Jamie Parkinson. Wearmouth were then dismissed for 76 as Stephenson took three wickets for only 18 runs.

Belmont ended with an impressive 218 for six which included 60 not out by R Welsh and 48 from Brooks. Visitors Tantobie managed only 84 with Noble claiming four wickets for 22 runs.

North Bitchburn realised the formidable total of 247 for four at home to Kibblesworth. Dunn (76) and Williams with 80 gave the innings a dream start and the momentum was maintained by Dalton with 47. Responding, Kibblesworth ended on 188 for four with Thompson unbeaten on 75. Saunders contributed a valuable 62 but North Bitchburn still won by the hefty margin of 67 runs.

Newton Aycliffe CC

NEWTON Aycliffe's first-team had an excellent away win at high-flying Newton Hall in the top division of the Roseberry North East Durham League.

Batting first, an unbeaten 54 from Chris Palmer, 27 from Carl Little and 25 from Stephen Bell helped Aycliffe to a useful 177 for 6 from their 45 overs.

In reply the wickets were shared amongst the visiting bowlers as Newton Hall were dismissed 46 runs short of their target.

The second team continued their promotion push with a 7 wicket home win over Medomsley in the third division. Tom Dolan's 3 for 50 helped restrict the visitors to 177 for 7 in 40 overs.

Seventeen-year-old opening batsman Adam Gittens lead Aycliffe's reply smashing 14 boundaries in his career best 82. Roger Howe supported well with 50 and Dave Richardson's unbeaten 22 helped see Aycliffe home with 6.3 overs in hand.

The Under-13s side lost by 37 runs when they entertained a strong Barnard Castle side. There was good performances from Aycliffe's Adam Randall, who top scored with 13 and Daniel Weldon who hit 12. Sam Telford was the pick of the home sides bowlers taking two wickets for 12 runs from his three overs.

Newton Aycliffe's Under-11s lost a close game at home to Blackhall. Daniel Weldon bowled well for Aycliffe taking 1 for 3 from his two overs. He then top scored with 12 and with 10 runs from Craig Robertson the home side finished their innings just 17 runs short of victory.

ECB Under-15s County Championship

DURHAM County hosted Cumbria at Bishop Auckland and after the visitors reached 205 all out, replied with 165 for seven.

Ross Kirtley was in good form with the ball for Durham claiming five Cumbria wickets for just 43 runs and Philadelphia's Ben Raine top scored in the Durham reply.

Oxbridge Darlington and District League

MIDDLETON St George continue to lead Division A after they recorded their eighth win of the season defeating Aldbrough St John by 59 runs. Batting first, the home side realised 234 for six which included 46 by Rogers and 64 not out from Jemmeson.

Although Mathias ended unbeaten on 67 Aldbrough St John were restricted to 175 for seven as McKenna took four for 52.

Barton are second and they had 42 runs in hand of Rockcliffe Park. Miller (78) and Lockey (40) formed a big second wicket stand which propelled Barton to 183 for eight despite Howell returned five for 73 in the Rockcliffe Park attack.

Several home batsmen made useful contributions but when the overs expired Rockcliffe Park were only 141 for seven. P Frankland had four for 76 and J Frankland three for 62.

Barningham are joint third with Rockcliffe Park. They defeated Ingleton by just 14 runs after Walker top scored with 84 in a total of 178.

Gammack and Dent shared nine of the wickets for Ingleton who responded with 164 all out which included 39 by Watson. Walker (5-38) and Foster (3-25) were in good form with the ball for Barningham.

Cockerton had 24 runs in hand at Raby Castle. Dade (63), top performed in the Cockerton total of 183 before Raby Castle responded with 159 for eight which included 42 by Dent. Glew had figures of five for 46 in the Cockerton attack.

Spennithorne and Harmby were all out for just 90 at home to Witton-le-Wear who won by six wickets when Penfold opened with 39 and Bannister ended unbeaten on 31.

Phil Olney returned five for 65 in 18 overs and Grant Sowerby three for 36 from the eight overs he delivered when Lands totalled 133 which included 37 by Andrew Elstob. Olney then took the Man of the Match honours for his six and eight boundaries in an unbeaten 68 and Sowerby added 37 not out to the Heighington to the match-winning total of 134 for one.

In Division B Barton were all out for just 74 but still defeated Rockcliffe Park by 12 runs. Raby returned for five for 15 in six overs for Rockcliffe and Maddin (5-20) and Miller with four for 17 then bowled out Rockcliffe Park for just 53.

Curry made an unbeaten half century and Dobson 46 not out leading Cliffe to an match-winning 178 for four against Haughton who ended on 123 which included 56 by Bainbridge.

Heighington totalled 117 with Hutchinson taking five for 37 but the modest total still proved sufficient as Dales managed only 83 as Overfield took six of their wickets for just 39 runs.

Spennymoor also found run-making difficult at Trimdon Collier and Deaf Hill who won by nine wickets after reducing the visitors to 75 of which McGough scored 30. Strong and Craggs shared the wickets before Tinkler hit an unbeaten 43 in the home side's reply.

Brompton on Swale overtook the Middleton-in-Teasdale total of 132 for four which included an unbeaten 72 by opener Coatesworth with three wickets remaining. Dale opened with 50 and Poole added a valuable unbeaten 41.

Watchman took four wickets for just six runs as East Cowton were all out for only 59 and Trimdon CCA won losing just one wicket as Lee and Peat scored 50 of the runs between them forming an unbroken stand for the second wicket.

In Division C, Raby Castle realised 255 for eight against Cockerton who were 138 all out as Walker and Jackson claimed three wickets apiece. Rawlings, with four for 32 and Smee (3-35) shared seven wickets for Cockerton.

M Vickerman and J Vickerman both had four wickets and Trimdon CCA totalled 141. Replying, Aldbrough St John were all out for 70 with Lowery taking five for 41 and Tinkler three for 26.

Clitheroe returned five for 15 when Haughton totalled 105 before Cliffe went on to win by five wickets with Baldwin scoring 40.

Eryholme overtook the Barningham total of 142 with seven wickets remaining. Marcus Clark ended unbeaten on 84 and Colin Harker contributed 34 not out.

After King James totalled 154 for six which included 69 by Oughton and 47 from Williams, Middleton Tyas won losing just three wickets. Mann (37 no) Weaver (34) and Morgan with 30 were their top run-makers.

The Readers Durham County League

Under-15s

Willington 27 (N Brittan 2-5, D Spence 5-3, A Harvey 2-6), Tudhoe 31-3. Ushaw Moor 119, Langley Park 99. Brandon 101-9 (H Uddin 35, R Clark 3-25, P Went 3-7), Mainsforth 78-7 (T Curry 4-22). Esh Winning 145-7 (R McCourt 30, C Nichols 4-34), Hylton 27. Clavering Cup: Newcastle City 95-8 (O Ahmed 33, Magoffin 3-34), Swalwell 98-2 (S Patterson 36).

Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League

Under-15s

Tantobie 70-9, Whickham 71-5. Annfield Plain 226-2, Greenside 76-6.

The Surridge Sport Durham Coast League

Under-15s

Castle Eden 146-0 (K Bailey 80 no, R Kirtley 66 no), Dawdon 116-8 (C Scurr 30). Boldon CA 149-2 (K Saunders 65 no, J Cole 35), Bill Quay 84-9 (M Cuskeran 34, M Cox 4-16). Easington 135-4 (I Rickaby 52 no), Murton 106-5 (A Wilkinson 32, D Gordon 57).

Smart Dezign Cup

Eppleton 123-5 (A Gibson 32), Newcastle 124-4 (N Tomlinson 42).